Snipe - Titchwell

I love to see the Snipe, and was treated to a ridiculously close encounter from one of the hides at Titchwell last week. Almost oblivious to my presence but only 10 feet away and eventually down to 6 feet at most. It put on a lovely display for me, preening, cleaning and skulking in the stubby reed bed. I could have stayed all day watching but apparently there are other birds to see at Titchwell too.

Just got a little itch here.

Titchwell

A visit to Titchwell is always highly anticipated when I go to Norfolk. This visit just as good as any other. A pair of Red-crested Pochards were a first for me (well, real live wild ones anyway). I'll add some pics of those at a later date.
I was really taken by the breeding plumage Black-tailed Godwits. Really stunning to see the vibrant colours as opposed the plainer winter plumage.

A less vibrant looking individual.

Little Stint - Titchwell, Norfolk

One of my life time first birds seen in Norfolk was the Little Stint. At first it was seen with the aid of another kind birders scope, but a little later it was seen very close with the naked eye, and then my camera. A lovely little wading bird one that I won't forget in a hurry.

Also seen at Titchwell were a Ruff, Grey Plover and Common Redshank. Some pictures of these below.

Ruff

 

Grey Plover in lovely breeding plumage.

 

A Grey Plover as you would see outside of breeding season.

 

Common Redshank

 

 

Spoonbill - Titchwell Norfolk

A bird that seems to be around the Norfolk coast more and more frequently is the Spoonbill. That being said, I'd only ever seen one before, and that was quite distant and I didn't even get to see it's bill as it was asleep with it's back to me. So I didn't actually count this one.
This time however, I had a lovely flyby on a couple of occasions. At first I thought it was a Little Egret, but it was a bit chunkier. I was thrilled to watch as it came back the second time almost directly overhead. And this time it's spoon bill was there for all to see.

The Snipe - Titchwell Norfolk

I managed to get some decent shots of one of my favourite wading birds, the Snipe. I've found it very difficult to get close enough in good light without too much vegetation to take anything worth while so far. At Titchwell though I found one very obliging bird just outside one of the hides. The sun came out too, to make it even better. I love the markings on these birds, the head shape, the length of the bill, everything. Add to that the fact that they are hard to spot sometimes and it all adds up to something very interesting for me.
Here are a few shots that I got.